BURDEN AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG CAREGIVERS OF MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS ADMITTED IN TEACHING HOSPITAL

Background: The family member is an important support system in the care of patient with chronic mental illness. The caregivers experience from a number of significant stresses and burden and need concern from the mental health professionals. The objective of the study was to assess the extent of burden and coping strategies among caregivers of mentally-ill patients. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used among 102 caregivers of mentally ill patients admitted in Psychiatric ward of Chitwan Medical College, Teaching Hospital. Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used to select the sample. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee. Data were collected from 27 January 2020 to 29 May 2020 using a structured interview schedule and record review. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 and analyzed by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: Among 102 caregivers, it was found that 47.1% caregivers perceived moderate to severe burden, 41.2% of the caregivers experienced mild to moderate and 11.8% experienced minimal burden. The highest median percentage of caregivers reported financial burden (50%) where 41.66% reported burden in the relationship. The most frequently used strategies were use of informational support (62.5%), venting (62.5%), positive reframing (62.5%), acceptance (62.5%), and religion (62.5%). Conclusions: The highest percentage of caregivers experienced moderate to severe burden. So, mental health professionals should develop training programs that include counseling to support both patients and family caregivers to reduce the family burden and improving coping skills.